The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.

Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.

As long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance.

Let us not be tempted by those who try to find the unique qualities in a particular group. In this case, among South Africa indigenous people, it reflected what has been evidenced throughout the world.

Success in politics demands that you must take your people into confidence about your views and state them very clearly, very politely, very calmly, but nevertheless, state them openly.

Do not allow your anger to control your reason, but rather your reason to control your anger.

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.